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January 06, 2009

A Tale of Two Topics (Or Message In A Post) (Or Proof That Jen Is Certifiable)

Would you believe I offered myself up for another meme? The new year is only 6 days old and this is my second meme! I'd tell you to do the math, but I just realized this is actually my seventh post which puts the numbers at odds with easy fractions, so I'll save you from doing unnecessary finger counts.

Anyway, I really liked this one. One of my more frequent stalking routes brings me over to It's Sherendipity and yesterday's jaunt proved interesting. An interview meme! I had never seen a meme like it before. It was a meme that practically wrote itself! So, I commented (TWICE!) and expressed my interest (begged) and Sher sent me some questions (a cease and desist) (but it wasn't notarized, therefore not legal) (and I thought those law courses I took would never come in handy, ha!).

1. Do you remember your first kiss? C'mon, dish.

There's two that have to count as one. When I was in middle school, we had the usual school dances with boys on side and girls on the other side of the room with only the brave (ones who had made it to first base) in the middle intermingling. Someone started the game of sending a boy and girl into the pitch dark bathroom with to find each other, "make out", and come back with tales to tell. I went in, got popped a peck on the lips, barely registered what had happened even after it was over, and then the lights were flipped and he was gone. I never found out who it was, but I had a clue. (He had braces.)

The second one? Ninth grade. I was pretty close friends with a boy my age down the street, we had spent the summer trying to get our hamsters to hook up, (never worked) and he finally expressed his interest in me. I had had a clue, but was also trying to match him up with my friend. One day in his garage, his mother called him in to dinner, and we were saying goodbye. As if it happened all the time, he leaned in and kissed me, short and quick, but definitely to the point. I told him shortly after that I wasn't interested, he turned to my friend for a relationship, grabbed my breast in the middle of a busy school hallway a year later, and the resulting backlash of me reporting it caused a huge rift in my friendships with several people that took years to repair. Good times..

2. What lesson did you learn from your parents (good, or bad) that will, or has, influenced your style of parenting?

I watched my father earn his college degree while still maintaining a full time job (and even a second job at one point) and also MAKING the time to be a caring and involved father. I don't mean that he had the time. I mean, he made the time. This has taught me that no matter how cluttered my life is, no matter how busy I am, no matter how many hours in the day are already dedicated to work and whatever else, I will make time for Sprite and John. My family will always come first.

My mother taught me that no matter how much I should use my head to make decisions, my heart should also have a say in the matter. My mom is known for being a soft heart, and having a hard head. (Do too, Mom.) I'm proud to say I take after her in a big way. By the way, today is my mother and father's 35th wedding anniversary. My mom has used the same joke for years that she will never divorce my father since she doesn't want to give him the satisfaction. I've stolen that joke sometimes. I hope to keep stealing it, no matter how many times John rolls his eyes. (That was the second topic.) (And the message.) (And if I'm certifiable, it's strictly evidence that the apple not only didn't fall far from the tree, it bounced a few times.)

3. Was there ever a time in your life that you passed on an opportunity that you really wanted, only to realize later that it was more of a benefit that you didn't take advantage of it?

Hm, this may be a two parter. The next question fits very well. I had the opportunity to continue my education in Criminal Justice, work for a governmental agency in some form, and live the single life that I had grown to like. Then I met John. My entire world as I knew it crashed down around my ears, showing me that I was capable of so much more than I had figured. I wasn't selling myself short on my plans. I had been selling myself short on my dreams.

4. The year is 1999. Ten years ago, today, what were doing? Better yet, what did you THINK that you'd be doing ten years later, and how close were you?

I was working at American Express in the claims department, also going to school full time (with a 4.0 GPA, thanks) and holding down weekend job of leading bus tours of Miami and the Everglades with a travel company. I had achieved the vision of Miss Perfect and was working insane hours to keep it going. I thought I would finish my degree, continue on for my graduate degree, intern with the FBI, and become a profiler. (I did my research and knew there was NOT an X File department in the basement of the J Edgar Hoover building, but liked the show anyways.) I also thought I would play the single game, not let myself get attached or trapped or, gasp!, settle for someone. And kids? Out of the question. I would not be tied down. I am so far from where I thought I would be, I would need to get my passport renewed just to be in the same time zone. Thank goodness, I met John in the late Spring of 1999 and now, I love where I am. I keep accusing John of settling for me, my family typically threatens to dump me and keep John if things ever go sour, and I am vocal in my desires for another baby.

5. If you could write a letter to the future you, reminding yourself of anything at all, how would that letter read?

I put aside some money in a MM account and a couple of CD's for me. They've matured and I've got about fifty thousand waiting for me now.The papers are in the safety deposit box. I'm welcome.

I lu-huved this meme! Thanks again, Sher. I am inviting you to participate. Leave me a comment letting me know if you want to be interviewed and I will gladly send you some questions. Be prepared though. I may look through your site first for some inspiration...

Oh yeah, and happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. You're a marital force to be reckoned with. We love you.

Comments

Hey, for a girl that never does meme's, you're pretty good.
Happy Anniversary to your parents. Thirty-five years is quite impressive! I haven't even been alive that long!
I'm glad you met John and changed your direction... being a wife and mom suits you and you're great at it. Plus, you seem kinda happy so there's that.

Thank You! We are just so blessed to have 3 wonderful children and 2 wonderful Grandchildren. I'm glad you met John and he showed you that being loved by a wonderful man can bring wonderful changes to your life. And I'm glad you put your education first before getting married it is so hard to do it the way your father did it some times life just gets in the way.

Sprite calls my father "Zieda" pronounced "Z-aye-dah". Baba and Zieda are offshoots of the Yiddish words Bubbi and Zeidi for grandmother and grandfather. I called my mom's parents this and continued the tradition with Sprite. Thanks, HP!

Oh I would love some questions!! Pretty Please!! I have been running low on the creativity part of my brain lately! Thanks! Loved the post and your parents dont look old enough to be married 35 years! Seriously! I am not just kissing ass to get some good questions here! : )

I told Heinous I was in on his, but PLEASE send me at least one random question. I just have to know what you'd pick for me!!!
Happy Anniversary to Dad and Baba!!!!!!
You were totally brilliant 10 years ago!

WOW! Your parents rock! I love hearing about couples who have weathered a few decades together. It is so inspiring. I've been married for almost five years and am so amazed at the couple / families who make it work. Congratulations, Sprite's grand-keepers!

BTW: I've been thinking a lot about the spin for this week - and am starting to feel guilty that I can't pick a guilt to write about! I'll spin next week.